Wild’s Suter Faces Hearing for Elbow to Pens’ Downie

The Department of Player Safety will be making a long distance call to Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon. It seems they’d like to speak with Wild defenseman Ryan Suter about his blatant elbow on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Steve Downie.

No penalty was called on the play by referees Kevin Pollock and Tim Peel. Only three minors were handed out in the game, all in the second period.

Downie left the ice and did not return to the game.

Suter claims the elbow was unintentional.

Suter said he was reaching for puck and went to put hand back on stick when elbow came out. He sent word to Downie thru Crosby #mnwild.

“I reached for the puck and kind of poked it and then… I hope he’s alright obviously,” Suter added after the game. “That’s not the type of player I am. It was kind of a fluky thing. He kind of just brushed my arm, my elbow as he went by. I poked for [the puck] and then I went to get my stick. I just hope he’s alright. That’s not the type of player I am. I personally never want to see anyone get hurt.”

Suter has never been suspended by the league. It’s very possible that he may just be looking at a fine here. Either way, Stephane Quintal and his boys will be calling.